Schueler, Lamont Meet With 'pen In Mind

July 15, 1993|By Joey Reaves.

MILWAUKEE — General Manager Ron Schueler and Manager Gene Lamont had a private "State of the Team" meeting Wednesday to discuss what needs to be done to make the White Sox go in the second half of the season.

Don't read too much into that. Schueler is pleased with the way Lamont is handling the team but wants to see if he and his manager can find an answer to the nagging problem of why the Sox haven't done more damage in the American League West.

"It's something that Gene and I have to address and talk about before we get back out there," said Schueler, who plans to join the team Thursday in Milwaukee for the first game after the All-Star break.

The bullpen has been one area of concern, particularly with former closer Bobby Thigpen continuing to struggle and former starter Kirk McCaskill adjusting to a new relief role.

"The bullpen has been inconsistent," said Schueler. "I would think it could be better. I think Gene has to give everybody a role and let them settle in."

Still looking: Schueler said he thought he was "just hours" away from a deal for a pitcher on Tuesday. He says he still thinks he is close but is cautious about putting a time frame on it. "I think it'll be soon," he says. "But anything can happen."

More time: Lamont already has said he plans to use utility infielder Craig Grebeck more in the coming months, and that's something Schueler likes. Lamont benched Steve Sax during spring training and told Grebeck he would be the Opening Day second baseman. A hand injury prevented that from happening, and by the time Grebeck was healthy enough to play, Joey Cora had taken the job away. "I think Grebeck finds it hard that he won the job and he gets an injury and now he's not playing," Schueler said. "He needs to contribute more."

Warming up: Schueler also agreed with Lamont's plans to use McCaskill in long relief but thinks there has to be one special provision. "Right now, we have to address whether his arm can adjust to the bullpen," Schueler said. "If we get him up, we've really got to use him. He doesn't have the kind of arm where you can get him up two or three times a game without using him."

Running quick: All-Star first baseman Frank Thomas is on a pace to drive in 100 runs as fast-or faster-than any player in Sox history. The quickest any Sox hitter reached the century mark in runs batted in was 1951 when Eddie Robinson, also a first baseman, finished with 117. Robinson reached 100 RBIs on Aug. 24, 1951-the 126th game of that season-which means he drove in an average of one run every 1.26 games. At the All-Star break this year, Thomas had 68 RBIs in 86 games-also an average of one every 1.26 games.